Dust-pan.



Patented- Dec.-l7, l90l.

6. BENHAM.

DUST PAN.

(Application filed May 18. 1901.)

um Modal.)

:TNE NDRRB PEYERS to PHOTUUTHDH WASHINOTUN, D, C.

UNITED Srarne CAMILLA BENHAM, OF WEST BURLINGTON, IOWA.

DUST -PAN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Eatent No. 689,156, dated December 17, 1901.

Application filed May 18, 1901. Serial No. 60,052. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OAMILLA BENHAM, a citizen of the United States, residing at West Burlington, in the county of Des Moinesand State of Iowa, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Dust-Pans, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in dust-pans, the object being to provide a pan which will not only catch the dust swept into it, but also will retain it against blowing away or while carrying it or in event of the pan being accidentally upset.

A further object is to provide a pan which can be handled with ease, it being provided with a long handle for this purpose, so that little or no bending of the body is necessary in using it.

A further object is to provide a dust-pan which can be used with facility in cleaning over doors, windows,pictures,and other places overhead without the dust falling over other things and one which can be used in cleaning under beds, bureaus, and other furniture, or, in short, wherever it is necessary to reach out beyond arms length.

With the foregoing objects in view my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations of part-s,which will be hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a View in perspective of my improved dustpan; and Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional View, dotted lines indicating different positions of the hinged door and bottom.

A represents the body of the pan, which is made of sheet metal in any preferred form and design, and it comprises a top, rear, and sides, the latter having inclining forward edges 1 l and the lower edges of the sides and rear preferably having inturned flanges 2 2 to brace and hold them rigid.

B is a false bottom secured at its ends to the sides and set upon a slight incline, as shown in the sectional view, with its inner edge preferably just a trifle forward of the front edge of the top and some distance below the latter, leaving ample space 3 between for the reception of the dust and dirt swept up over the inclined false bottom, and a door at, hinged at its upper edge to the forward edge of the top, is adapted to normally drop by gravity to close this opening, it being stopped by striking the rear edge of the false bottom,

and at the same time be capable of yielding readily to the pressure of a broom or dustbrush in sweeping dust or dirt into the pan. At the same time it normally closes of its own weight to prevent escape of the contents of the pan therethrough.

The bottom 0 is hinged at its forward edge to the forward edge of the false bottom, and its upturned flanged side and rear edges 5 5 are adapted to embrace the lower flanged edges of the sides and rear of the pan-body when closed, and a spring-catch 6 holds it fastened. Threaded bosses 7 and 8 on the top and rear, respectively, are adapted to have the removable handle 9 screwed thereto accordingly as the pan is used for ordinary sweeping or for reaching out arms length or overhead. The handle itself might be telescopic in form, if desired.

From the foregoing it will be seen that dust or dirt after once getting over the false bottom into the pan is held by the false bottom against escape, and the pan can be carried about without as frequent emptying as would otherwise be necessary or as required with ordinary dust-pans. Besides, when it is to be emptied it is merely necessary to open the bottom to let the contents out.

A pan of this construction is effectual in the operation of receiving and retaining the dust and dirt, is thoroughly sanitary, and, above all, can be used without stooping over and bending the body into cramped and uncomfortable positions. At the same time it is quite as convenient in reaching out beyond arms length.

It is evident that slight changes might be made in the form and arrangement of the several parts described without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and hence I do not wish to limit myself to the exact construction herein set forth; but,

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A dust-pan comprising bottom and sides, a false bottom, and a door hinged at a point above the inner edge of the false bottom in position to engage the inner edge of the latter when in its extreme forward position and its free edge reaching to the bottom whereby the interior of the pan is divided thereby into two compartments.

5 2. In a dust-pan, the combination with top, sides and rear, and false bottom secured at its ends to the sides and disposed upon a general incline, its rear edge sufficiently below the forward edge of the top to leave an open- 10 ing for the reception, of dust and dirt, of a hinged door for normally closing said opening, and a hinged bottom.

8. A dust-pan comprising top, sides, rear, a false bottom secured to the sides, a bottom,

Q [5 and a hinged door adapted to reach from the G. W. BENHAM, OLIVER F. HOWARD. 

